by A C Wilds
He clips me in the side of the face with his big fist. It has me disoriented enough to stumble back. I try to get in a shot to his knee, but he brings the cattle prod up and zaps me in the side. The last thing I remember is his laughter as I go down.
I wake up in a large room, that is clearly not where my cell was. The sun is shining and there’s carpet under my feet. I’m tied to a chair, my hands bound behind my back. Wriggling to see how tight the rope is, but it just restricts my movements further.
There is nothing around me except for the windows and a large table next to the chair. On it lays a multitude of tools. There are hammers, blades, pliers, something that looks like brass knuckles, and a bunch of what I can only assume are potion bottles.
Fear rushes over me as I begin to imagine what Michael has in store for me. They look like some serious torture tools. I’m strong but I don’t know if I can withstand the pain I’ve seen in the movies.
“Ah, you’re with us. I’d hope you’d be awake for prepping. It gives you a good idea of what’s going to happen to you,” the guard says, walking into the room. He’s changed from his uniform to a simple white shirt and linen pants. His shoes are old. He looks like one of the peasants that worked in the stables.
“Nice outfit. Did you get it from one of the slaves, or is it yours?” I ask, examining him for a reaction. He gives me the best kind, anger and shame. These are his clothes.
“The only thing you should be questioning now is which tool I will use first.”
I ignore his statement, not being able to concentrate on it. Instead, I focus on the fact that his anger flared when I mentioned his outfit.
“You were a slave, weren’t you? Or at least a lower class Fae. What did you have to do to become Michael’s personal guard? Whose dick did you have to suck? Who’d you have to kill?”
He comes at me just as fast as before and smacks me across the face. It doesn’t hurt as much as I thought it would. It’s then that I realize there isn’t enough of the stone stuff to hold me. I must have gotten stronger somehow. The Death Stone must have given me a boost.
“Shut your fucking mouth, whore. You know nothing.”
“So explain it to me,” I say, spitting out the blood that’s collected in my mouth. I need him to be so riled up that he doesn’t look at the smoke coming from my fire. I’m trying to slowly burn the ropes off with it.
“I don’t have to explain it to you. I earned my place by Michael’s side. I was able to out fight most of the guard here. My skills cannot be matched.”
I laugh. I can’t help it. He sounds so serious right now. The veins in his neck start to throb in anger and his hands are clenched at his side. I’m pushing all the right buttons. I just need him to lose control one more time.
“Come on, soldier boy. You believe you’re that special? It’s probably because you have a nice ass Michael likes to dominate.”
He loses it then and comes charging at me. My wrists break free from the bonds and I use my blow back powers to send him across the room. He lands with a thud and his eyes go wide as he realizes that my powers are back.
“How did you?…”
He doesn’t get to finish that phrase because my fire whooshes out of me and I light his ass up. I don’t give a fuck if it wasn’t what the old Azra would do. This Azra is at war and he needs to die.
His screams echo around the room and I take off running before someone comes to investigate. I figure my best option is one of these windows. I break the glass outward and pop my wings out. I run for the window and slip through flapping to catch the height and not fall.
A roar sounds behind me, and I turn to see Michael standing at the window. His hands are outstretched and the sky goes black. He’s going to try to use lightning to shoot me down. I shake my head in amusement and keep flying toward safety. The first thunder crashes around me and a lightning bolt shoots jagged out of a cloud. I reach out my magic and absorb all the energy he’s putting out in my pool. Turning around I release it back to its owner who ducks and runs for cover.
The force of the lightning crashes against the side of the building and the structure begins to crumble.
If I kill Michael now, we can end a part of this war sooner. Stopping my retreat I turn and look at him. His body is radiating power and he looks so upset he didn’t know about my wings. We’ll wait till he sees the rest of my power.
Before he can retaliate, I throw a fireball at him. A blast of air pushes it in the wrong direction missing him. The air swirls around me, and a tornado begins to form. His intention is to trap me. I try to pull on the wind to make it stop, but the element has begun to spin on its own. Trying to regain control, I start to lose height. I try lifting the air around me but it’s not working.
Spinning down and down, I brace myself for the ground that I’m going to meet fast. I try to use the earth to make a soft landing. The ground starts to rumble and forms a soft peak of piled dirt. Curling myself into a ball I brace for impact, but it never comes. Strong arms grab me, and a beating of a familiar heart surrounds me.
“Didn’t I teach you how to use these things properly?” he says, giving me a quick kiss on the head and flying us out of the tornado. Glancing down, I can see Cass with arms outstretched countering his father’s magic. Grey’s wings are so much stronger than mine, and they lead us to safety quickly.
“I was a little busy trying to evade that douchebag. We have to go back and take care of him,” I say, pushing off of him and gaining control of my own flight as soon as we are away from the tornado.
Seeing the rest of the guys down below, I fly down with the intention of rallying them so we can take down Michael once and for all. I need this to end.
They rush me as soon as I land. Shax looking me over for injuries, Cass pulling me in for a hug, and Gunn offering me a smile of relief. Being near them feels so good. It’s given me a renewed energy boost to take Michael down.
“He’s in there. We need to move fast before he disappears,” I say, looking around the group. Izzy and her men are there as well as Red and Ash. They’ve brought some of the troops with them. Eugene and his mate are there with a bunch of the dragons also. We have enough.
“It might not be wise to storm the mountain. We don’t know what waits for us,” Red says, trying to be the voice of reason.
“I see your concern, but we can’t wait anymore. He wanted to drain my magic and use it for himself. Jack helped him kidnap me. Jack wanted me for himself. He has a sick thing with me looking like my mother.”
I chorus of growls sound around me, and I feel anger through all of the bonds. Red especially. He doesn’t like the sneaky dragon.
“I knew I should have slit his throat. If he’s done anything to our people while we’re gone, I will destroy him,” Izzy says, just as mad as the guys.
“We can worry about him later. Right now we need to get to Michael. I know this isn’t what we planned, but we have to try,” I beg.
Grey pulls my sword from the scabbard behind his back. He hands it to me and nods his head. He’s ready to stand beside me. Taking the sword makes me feel powerful. The full force of the blade slams into me, and my eyes light up with power.
“We’re with you, always,” Shax says, speaking for all the guys. I’m so proud of them in this moment. They are willing to risk everything for me. To let me guide them even if it is into death.
“The dragons will help. We have waited too long to be free. There is nothing more that we want. I want to apologize for Jack’s actions, but it wouldn’t make it right. He wasn’t a part of our horde for a long time, and a solitary dragon can lose his mind. It’s still no excuse,” Eugene says, standing tall and proud with the dragons behind him.
Feeling the confidence of a true leader, I look to Red. His acceptance is a vital part of this mission. He is the General. He was seen battle before. His guidance will be what makes or breaks us.
“You are my soul-bonded. Without you there is no me. I will follow you, even if I do
n’t like it,” he says, watching the smile creep over my face. He rolls his eyes at me and turns to the troops. “We fight! As one we shall succeed. The reign of the Light King ends today!”
They all cheer for him. Their hands raised in the air and weapons pointed upwards. It sent a thrill of excitement through me. Red knows how to command a room. He’s able to make them want to go into battle. While I just stand here with my Changer sword looking pretty.
“You’re very intense,” I say to him. He gives me a knowing smile and then walks off to no doubt give them orders.
“Azra, can you create a portal so the rest of the troops can come to our aid? We may be facing the entire Light army and I’d like to be prepared,” Izzy asks.
“Sure, let’s move a bit further into the forest and I’ll make the connection to the front of the manor.”
“What about Jack?” Grey asks, his eyes blazing with anger.
“We will find him and kill him. There is no question. The dragon horde’s commander has seen first hand what he has done. Mara will just have to accept it,” Izzy responds.
“Let’s get this started then, shall we?” I ask, walking into the forest a bit more. As I go, I pull the magic to me. Some from the guys, others from Faerie itself. I feel the heat of my power in my hands, as I begin to draw the circle to form the portal. Changer magic is different than the elemental magic. It’s stronger and more pure. It doesn’t do destruction or creation, it just is. Bending time and the fabric of the universe to do my bidding. Circling my hands in front of me, I release the power, and form the circle that will bring the troops through. A loud suction and then a pop sounds, and the light of the portal glows in the dimness of the dawn.
“Hurry up!” I yell over the vacuum like noise. It sounds like a waterfall and a huge body of water mixing together. “I don’t know how long I can hold it for.”
Izzy runs straight into the portal and into the courtyard. The troops are there, ready and waiting. She must have warned them this could happen. Bunch by bunch they come storming through the portal. Dragons and Fae fighting alongside each other.
The rush of the last of them brings me to my knees. The portal snaps shut. I’ve spent a lot of energy, but I’ve also helped us to possibly win this. The guys come around me and pull me up. Leaning on Cass and Shax I let their auras calm and soothe me. I pull from their magics, just a little, to boost up my energy. In a few moments, I’m standing on my own again.
“We are going to shift,” Red says, pointing to himself and Ash.
“Why? Isn’t it better if you can fight with your weapons?” I question, confused as to why he’d make this decision.
“I will carry you into battle, Azra. You are my soul-bonded and we ride and fight together. You may not be able to pull from my magic, but I will be there to aid you in any way that I can,” he says, pulling me in for a hug. Red isn’t super affectionate, but this feels right. He feels safe and secure, like nothing could happen to me if he is there.
“Azra, I think Shax and I should shift as well. It will be beneficial for the first attack to let our animals take the reins for a bit. I don’t know about Shax, but my wolf expends way less energy than I do. This may be the difference we need in the final battle,” Gunn says. Shax nods his head in agreement and glances at me to make sure it’s ok.
“If that’s what you think is best, I trust your judgement.” I’m excited to see them in their animal form. A black jaguar and a white wolf. Opposites but both deadly.
Once we get into formation, I ride to the front of the line. I want them to see me. To see that I will be the first into battle. Not hiding behind my soldiers. Looking at the crowd, I raise my voice and a silence befalls them.
“Today we take down one of the most powerful Fae in existence. His tenure is over. He’s no longer going to abuse the Fae or the humans. No more slavery! No more servants without pay! We deserve peace. We deserve to raise our children to not fear their leaders, but to feel safety and love. I ask that you put your lives on the line for them because I will gladly give up my own to make this happen. To victory!”
Screams and exclamations of war shake the trees around us. I feel the energy that pulses off them, and tears form in my eyes. It’s always lead to this moment. For me to protect them. For me to change the realms.
Chapter 25
War
Azra
Storming the castle was my idea. I want him to know we are coming for him. Red is fast, snorting and huffing in annoyance. He’s in full battle mode. The tension through the bond puts me on edge, but the energy that drifts off of him gives me a high of hope. That’s what we need hope.
Getting to the castle takes minutes. We approach on the same side that the castle was blown apart. There is no one there. It’s a deafening silence one that creates a chill. It’s not natural.
“Izzy, you feel this?” I call out to her.
“Yeah, it’s one of Michael’s spells. I have to see if I can remove the barrier,” she says, jumping off her horse. It’s not far from us. She places her hands on it, and her pink magic joins the barrier, coating it. Her eyes close and she looks like she’s struggling. Just as I’m about to get off Red and help, a voice sounds from behind us.
“Still having trouble with this spell, witch,” Mazatl says. He has a smile on his face. I could punch him.
“Fuck you and get over here to help,” she demands. He chuckles and comes to stand over by her. His green magic mixes with hers and form a copper shell that almost looks like a metallic coating. The shield fractures and Izzy pushes forward and it comes crumbling down.
The noises bombards us. It’s so loud that I wince at the assault. Fighting is taking place all around us. Light and Dark clash in a battle. Blood and death soak the ground, and my heartbeat picks up. I’ve never seen anything like it. I’m a NYC girl. I’ve rode horses and driven in cars and ate fast food all my life. This is another world. Another existence.
What the fuck? How did Lucifer get here? Was she coming for me? I look to the guys for answers, but I don’t think I’ll ever get them. Whoever tipped her off put all this in front of us. This seems too good to be true.
It doesn’t deter my troops as they rush ahead of me crying a battle sound. Light and Dark pause for a moment looking at the new onslaught that is here to take their heads. My guys and I take off for the front of the castle to find Michael and Lucifer.
As predicted, they are at each other’s throats, which will make it easier to kill them. I nudge Red with a leg squeeze to take off in their direction. Swinging my sword down and around, taking off heads and stabbing the Fae who try to attack me. Years of riding give me the stability to use my upper body without falling off.
We quickly cut through the crowd and approach the battling monarchs. Lucifer is trying to burn the Light King, but he uses his air to push it into another direction. They are evenly matched. My guys file around me, and start taking out the Fae who run toward us.
Gunn’s wolf is massive. His pure white coat shines in the sunlight making it look like a fresh snowfall. His teeth are bared and he rips off heads and tears through body parts. Howls can be heard in the distance, and to the left of us a pack of wolves descends on the fight. They must be the same wolves Izzy spoke of. My heart drops for a moment. There are too many for Gunn. A flap of air pushes down on me and I see the dragons coming to our aid. The wolves won’t stand a chance now.
Shax’s jaguar roars in frustration, his fangs and claws bigger than Gunn’s. He’s not as big as my wolf, but his jaguar is ready for anything. Using Ash as a springboard, he jumps off of her back and lands on a bunch of battling Fae, not even giving them a chance to recover and fight back. He snarls at a figure coming toward us, and I see a dragon approach. He isn’t as big as Eugene or his mate, but he’s still massive. This doesn’t stop Shax though. He takes on the dragon with a swiftness and agility that I’ve never seen. It’s isn’t fast enough. Shax leaps up onto his back and shifts into his human form, fully clothed and w
ith his weapons. He draws his sword and plunges it between his wings. The shimmer of the change light up the battle and Jack shrinks down into a human. Shax wastes no time in finishing him, pulling the sword from his back and stabbing it into his neck, killing him instantly. A wild look comes over his face as he looks for me before throwing himself back into the fray.
Cass and Grey have their swords out and are using their elements to create and move in powerful strikes. Lightning shines off Cass’s blade. It’s a deadly weapon cutting off body parts and slitting throats. It’s also a beacon for his brother. Daniel comes from behind him with a swing of his own lightning sword. Cass turns at the last minute and clashes with his sword. They continue their bout until Daniel begins to tire. With a last minute move, he gets Cass in the side with a knife that was tucked in his belt. It’s deep enough to bleed freely, but not enough to stop him. Cass rebounds with more effort, but goes down on his knees when Daniel trips him. I try to jump off Red but he shifts and holds me back.
“He can take care of himself. You need to get to Michael and Lucifer. That’s why we’re here,” Red says, making sure I understand what he means. Everything else isn’t important just killing them.
Grey is pulling fire magic from Shax and using his wings to surprise attack the soldiers. He jumps and flaps his wings to get above everyone and rains the fire down below. There isn’t much anyone can do. He has the advantage of being in the sky.
A screech sounds from a distance, and the dragons have found a new prey. The Light assassin has come home to Faerie, and the other dragons are pissed about it. There is nothing that can be done for him as he gets torn apart by a team of his brethren.
Red and Ash fight side by side. Their dance is beautiful to look at. They’re perfectly in sync with one another. Red moving one way, and Ash moving another. You can see their love in the movements, even though this is a dance of death. When she moves, he reacts and moves the opposite way. They protect my back for what needs to come next.